Mailing machine



G. E: NORTHRQP MAILING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1925 4 sheets-sheen Aug..16, 1927.

' INVENTOR e0/ye [V0/- fh rop ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1 C l Aug 16 927A s. E. NoRrHRoP MAILING MACHINE Filed Deo.

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1,639,052 G. E. NoRTHRoP IAILING MACHINE y 4 Sheng-Sheet 3 j-- -l m3 ATTORNEYS mvsmon;

Aug. 16. 1927.

Filed Dec. 31. 1925 @NS t mw MTN R. :in

SN t-. A @--L NN i m|| 1 Patented Aug. 16, 1927. 1

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. NORTHROP, OF IS'ILAIVIIEORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO RED STAR APPLI- ANGES, INC., OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

MAILING Application filed December The present invention relates lto machines for sealing envelopes, and for print` ing with ink on the face of the envelope, as, for instance, to cancela Government stamp that previously has been aflixed on the envelope and to place adjacent to the cancelled stamp the name of the post otlice, the date and hour of cancellation, and the permit number of the user. The machine is also of service for counting envelopes, cards, and other flat object-s, and can be used for printing small inscriptions. thereon simultaneously with thecounting.

Y Although the machine is capable of a wide variety of uses, it is intended particularly for sealing vstamped envelopes, Vand then cancelling the Government stamp and counting the number of stamps so cancelled.

Envelopes to be used in this may be of the character now lfurnished by the `United States Government, and having the postage stamp formed directly in the paper of the envelope, or equally well, may be plain envelopes lto which adhesive Government stamps have been affixed.

Then the sealed envelopes come from the machine with the stamps cancelled, and with the name of the post oflice and the date printed thereon, they can be delivered in bulk to the post oftice and there can be distributed directly into the outgoing pouches without the delays and labor incident to first placing them face up on the sorting table and then passing them through the stamp cancelling device now commonly used by the Government employees. In other words, by the use of .this machine, much of the labor now done at the post office is done before the mail reaches thefpost oilice, with a consequent saving in time in placing the mail in transit to its destination.

The receiving platform of the present machine is so arranged that the envelopes may` be stacked with their bodies substantially horizontal and their `flaps hanging downward overthe edge of the platform, and in shingled relation, a driven roller being provided'for advancingthe lowermost envelope of the stack into engagement [with Vthe `feed roller of the machine, and means being provided at the front andon each yside of the stack of envelopes for keeping theenvelopes in proper alignment.

The machine also embodies a cylindrical barrier above the feed roll and servingto MACHINE.

31, 1925. Serial No. .78,524.

hold :back all but the lowermost envelope of the stack. This barrier or baille is pivotally mounted so that the Wear on it can be distributed over its entire surface.

A moistening device of novel construction and fed with Water from a constant level fountain serves to meisten the flap of each envelope during its passage over the feed roll. Transfer rolls and a cooperating inclined plate or Vguide serve to fold the gummedy flap upward against the body of its envelope. Ultimately the forwardly moving envelope trips a printing mechanism which, by a rolling movement over the travelling envelope, cancels the postage stamp and prints adjacent thereto other data, such as the name of the post ofiice, the date and hour of cancellation, and the like. Counting mechanism operatively connected with the printing 4mechanism records the fnumber of printed imprints, and consequently the number of envelopes, cards, or the like, that have been passed through the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism itself .is so mounted that it easily can beremoved for adjustment or repair or for changes in the dies and t-ypewith which it is equipped. The dies and itype are secured in place in novel manner to permit replacement without the aid of special tools.

Power for the machine is supplied by an electric motor through a driving belt, the tension of which can be readily adjusted. Anti-friction wood bearings are used whereever needed to insure quiet operation .and to obviate the need for oil Lin places from which it might be distributed to the passingv en velopes.

Other objects and details of the complete machine will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the .complete machine,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the printing and discharge end removed;

Fig. 3 lshowsthe machine in end elevation as viewed from the-intake end;

Fig. 4 isa sectional elevation on the line -of Fig. 1.

Frame-work and receiving `platform (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4).

The frame work of they machine comprises a lcast metal base l integral with which are a belt drivendrum 15.

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four vertical supporting members 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 arranged in pairs, (Figs. 2 and 3). Connecting members 2 and 3 is an iutegral transverse stitfening web G and connecting members 4 and is a similar web '7. Bolted against the outer edges of members 2 and 4 is a cast metal bof: 3, the lower face of which rests ou base 1 and the upper face of which serves as a support for a horizontal platform 9. The latter extends the entire length of the machine but is cut away at appropriate points to permit rollers to come in contact with the passing envelopes. On the outside of bon 3 is a vertical sheet metal plate which serves to cover up certain of the gears and other elements.

At the other side of the machine is a casting of irregular shape comprising a channel 11 having two depending legs 12 and 13, one of which is bolted to supporting member 3 and the other of which is bolted to supporting member 5. Mounted above channel 11 is a horizontal platform 14 which covers up certain of the movingl elements.

The receiving plat-form for the envelopes to be sealed is at the left hand end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, and includes This drinn 15 comprises a cylinder 16 on which are two rubber treads 17 and 13. The cylinderI is mounted on a metal shaft 1.9, the ends of which are secured by bolts 20 and 21 to a pair of brackets 22 and 23 (Fig. 3) carried by platform 9. Attached to the cylinder is a pulley 24 on which runs a belt 25.

l/'Vhen the envelopes yare stacked for in sertion into the machine, the flaps are adjusted to .lie in shingled relation at right angles to the bodies, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The lowermost envelope rests on the rubber treads 17 and 13 of the drum 15, and the weight of the stack of envelopes is relied on to give good frictional engagen'ient I with the treads. Each envelope, as it reaches the bottom of the stack, will be advanced into the machine.

The feed/ng roll and bcryles (Figs. Z, 2 and Ji).

cast metal box 3, and carries a large gear wheel by which it is driven.

The upper roll 27 is secured to a shaft 36 supported in arms 37 and 33 which are integral. with a hub 39 mounted to swing en a shaft 40. This shaft 40 is mounted on channel 11 and serves as a support for other elements as hereinafter pointed out.

The ends of arms 37 and 33 are'connected by a shaft 41 to which is attached a vertical link 42 which passes through a bracket 43 (F ig. 4) and is screw threaded to receive au adjusting nut 44 and lock nut 45. Coiled aboutthis link is a compression spring 4G hold between bracket and a collar 47. Upward movement of roll 27 swings arms 37 and 33 about shaft 40 and compresses spring 46.

The upper roll 27 does not rotate freely with a passing envelope, but on the contrary, is held against free rotation by a suitable clutch mechanism, not shown. Due to the restraining action of this clutch, the roll 27 acts as al restraining battle to hold back the stack of envelopes whilefthe lowermost envelope is being pushed forward by the rubber treads 23 on the feed roll 26.

Supplementing the action of the cylindrical restraining baille 27 are a pair of inclined battles 43 and- 49, one on each side of roll 27. Each of these baffles is made of sheet metal and has its forward end wrapped around shaft 41. The other vend of each Vbaille passes up betweenrarms 37 and 33 and connects with a horizontal linger 50. Through this finger is threaded a vertical bolt 51 having a lock nut 52 (Fig. 1). rlhe lower end of the bolt rests on hub 39. A tension spring 53 tends to hold the screw in contact with the hub. in adjustment of the screw can be made to regulate the elevation of the batlles L43 and 49 'gin conformity with the thickness of the envelopes which are being passed through the machine.

The moist/@ming denic@ and its fountain Y (FZ5/3. 1,5 and Ji).

Bolted to the side of base 1 is a casting 54, shaped to serve as a water receptacle. Threaded into one side of this is a supply pipe 55 on which a water fountain of the constant level type is carried. kThis fountain comprises a cup 56 with a soft'rubber collar 57 into which snugly lits the neck of an inverted glass water bottle 53. At the side of the cup is an overflow opening and air vent 59 slightly above the lower lip of the bottle. lnserted within the neck of the bottle is a soft rubber stopper 60 which fits loosely within the neck and carries at each end an integral enlargement 61. When the bottle is lifted out for refilling, this rubber stopper drops sul'liciently to close the neck of the bottle and prevent escape of water, and when the bottle is to be prepared for relling, the rubber stopper can be pulled out through the neck. After relling, the stopper is inserted. lt makes no diHjerence which end is forced into the bottle, fory both ends are alike. The stopper can then be pulled up ward to closethe neck, and-when the bottle is restored to the cup 56 and forced down to its final position, the stopper will be lifted by contactwith a lug 62 at the bottom ofv this cup.

This fountain serves to maintain ay constant level of water within casting 54 from which the water is drawn to vmoisten the flaps of the envelopes in a manner now to be described.

The inoistening device includes a rotating metal drum V63 mounted to turn on a stationary stub shaft 64 supported by casting 54. Rigidly secured to the side of this drum is a gear 65 which meshes with a pinion 66 mounted to turn on a pin G7 carried by plate G8. Keyed toY pinion 66 is a gear 69 which meshes vwith a small pinion 70 keyed to a clutch element 71. Both 70 and 71 are mounted to turn on the reduced cylindrical end 72 of stubshaft 64. rPhe element 71 has a slot 73 in its working face. Coacting with this slot is a pin 74 carried by the hub of drum 2G and urged forward into clutching relation bya coil spring 75. lVith the structure arranged as above described, rotation of drum 26 will cause continuous rotation of the moistenina drum 63, but at reduced speed because of the intervening gearing.

v The use of a clutch between the two ele-rl ments is of convenience in permitting easy removal of the moisteniiig device for cleaning and repair. By unbolting casting 54: from base 1, the fountain and moistening device can be pulled out of the machine. Then by loosening set screw 76 and pulling on its knuiled knob 77, stub shaft 64 can be withdrawn. Then the moistening vdrum can be lifted out of the water and all of the remaining gears can be entirely removed for cleaning and repair. The moistening drum carries a ring of horizontal bristles 78 whereby the gummed flaps of passing envelopes are moistened with water from the fountain.

The (lf/'ive (Figs. 1, 2 md 4).

The source of power is an electric motor 187 secured to base 1 by bolts 188 which slide in slots 189 (Fig. 2) to permit adjustment of the main drivingbelt 190 with which the machine is equipped. This belt delivers driving power through suitable pulleys, gears and shafts to a pinion 203. The latter meshes with the gear 204 (Fig. 2) on stub f shaft 205.

Gear 204 meshes with a wide pinion 98 fastened to a shaft 94 (Fig. 1), whereby the transfer rolls are driven. Pinion 98 also meshes with gear 207 (Fig. 1) mounted on a stub shaft 208 and meshing with a gear 35 whereby the feeding drum is driven.

The operation.

Envelopes are stacked on the platform one above another in substantially horizontal polowermost envelope in alignment with the feeding di-um. Envelopes are picked olf onevby. one from the bottom of the stack by the rubber treads 17 and 18 of the belt driven roller 15, and are deliveredunder the plate f 48 which acts as a front baille. a travelling envelope is dragged forward by atlie feeding drum and slides across the lower face of the relatively stationary cylindrical 'baille 27 while at the saine' time lthe damp bristles 78 of the moistening drum wipe `the gummed flaps. During this yoperation the flap of the envelope is held against lateral movement by a linger 210 (Fig. 3) on baille 209 and by an opposed bracket 211. suspended from the top platform 9 of the machine.

After the flap of an envelope has passed out of Contact with the damp bristles, it is folded against the envelope `and pressed into contact therewith I by a suitable sealing mechanism. An appropriate imprint is then made on 'the' envelope' by a printing device of suitable form. which device includes a recording counter, and the envelope is then ready for delivery to the post ollice.

The means for adjusting the machine to envelopes of different thicknesses has already been described. To adjust for envelopes of different widths, there is provided at the intake end of the machine (Fig. 3) a baille plate 215 -suspended from a shaft 216 by arms 217 and 218 and locked in position on that shaft by a spring plate 219 which grips the shaft 1 and has a convenient thumb piece by which that gripping may be reeased to permit shifting of the baffle along the shaft. The lower end of this baffle rests on platform 9.

Changes may be made in details of the machine without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a feeding drum by which envelopes are forwarded into the machine, a rotary brush coaxial with said drum and across the face of which the llaps of the envelopes are wiped to moisten the gum thereof, and a driving connection between said drum and said brush to slowly and continu ously turn said brush.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a feeding drum over which envelopes may pass with their bodies horizontal and their flaps vertical, a rotary inoistening device coaxial wit-h said drum and across the end face of which the envelope flaps are wiped to moisten the gum thereof, and means for continuously rotating said brush.

Ultimately 3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a feeding drum, a. brush coaxial therewith, and a driving connection between said drum and said brush, including a clutch and speed reducing gearing, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a base, a well bolted thereto, a rotary brush positioned to turn in said well, a feeding drum, and a driving connection between said drum and said brush, including reduction gears and ay clutch at which said driving` connection can be broken when said well is unbolted from said base.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotary brush for moistening the gunimed flaps of the envelopes, a well in which 'said brush dips, gears through which said drum is driven, and a shaft on which said drum is mounted, said shaft being axially removable to permit withdrawal of said brush and its gears from said well.

6. In a machine of the character described,

the combination of a feeding drum, a brush Y detachable geared Connection between said feeding drum and said brush supporting drum.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a base, aswell bolted thereto, a rotary brush positioned to turn in said well, a feeding drum, and a driving connection between said feeding drum and said brush including reduction gears carried by a walll of said well.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a base, a well bolted to said base, means connected to and supported by said well for maintaining a constantlevel of water therein, ay rotary brush journaled on a shaft carried by the walls of said well and arranged to have its bristles immersed in the water in said well when rotated, a rotary driving means adjacent to said well,

and means forming a releasable driving connecti on between said driving means and said brush including reduction gears carried by a wall of said well.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

GEORGE E. NORTI-IROP, 

